Hyperdrive
Detroit Automakers Face Delicate Dance With Red-State Supporters
- Almost three-quarters of truck buyers live in states Trump won
- Companies still eager to showcase carbon-cutting credentials
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Under the Trump administration, few industries have been singled out for scorn and threats from the White House as much as automakers. But even if President Donald Trump’s re-election bid falls short in November, American car companies have a much bigger constituent to answer to: their own red-state customer base.
The delicate dance automakers have played with the administration shows how they manage public perception more broadly, emphasizing actions over words. By demurring when Trump provokes them on Twitter and quietly working on their electric-vehicle projects even as he loosens emissions standards, they’re passing on a chance to play a more vocal role combating climate change.